A much-loved charity store, which was broken into and then set on fire, is finally set to reopen.

Callous arsonists destroyed the Clic Sargent charity shop in Straits Parade, Fishponds in November last year after breaking into the shop.

Firefighters were called to the store around 8am on Saturday, November 12, after reports of the fire.

The devastation cost the charity – which was started by Bristol man Bob Woodward in 1977 – more than £36,700 in income.

That amount of money could have given 36 families a place to stay close to their child suffering from cancer, or could have paid for eight nurses for a month.

The Clic Sargent shop lost more than £36,700 in income

More than 210 families could also be deprived of the £170 grants given to them by the charity to help them get by – nearly half of all the grants they give out in the South West in a year.

The shop, which had been opened since November 1989, was forced to close.

A fundraising campaign launched by the charity, through the Bristol Post, has seen donations flood in, with one anonymous donation of more than £200.

And the good news is that it will reopen again this Thursday with a special ceremony.

Police investigates

Officers said the fire could have had even more devastating consequences, as residents were sleeping the flats above the shop when the blaze broke out.

They said the shop was broken into, and burglars then set fire to the back of the store to cover their tracks.

Police are looking for the man in the video, who police want to speak to in connection with the incident.

Anyone who thinks they has information about the raid should call 101, quoting crime reference number 5216251784 and ask to speak to DC Cowburn 3646.

‘Thank you’

Jason Webster, head of Trading at CLIC Sargent, says: “The fire appeal is a great example of real community spirit here in Bristol.

“It’s fantastic to see how everyone rallied together to support the shop and our charity in our time of need.

“We can’t thank everyone in Bristol enough, it’s brilliant that the shop is open for business again as the donations are vital for us in our fight for young lives in the south west and the UK as a whole.”

Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy said: “CLIC Sargent is an incredible charity, which has for 40 years been providing invaluable support to young children with cancer and their families.

“Their work started right here in Bristol, and so I was devastated to hear about the arson attack and burglary suffered by their Fishponds shop just before Christmas.

“I am delighted to see that their doors are open once again, and encourage everyone who can to donate to and support this branch to help continue their important work.”